Infrastructure services company Downer EDI (ASX:Dow) announced that its subsidiary Spotless Facility Services will defend a civil action brought by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

The ACCC’s allegations relate to conduct in 2019 and 2020 regarding property maintenance services provided to the Department of Defense. The ACCC alleges that Spotless, along with two other service companies (BGIS and Ventia), engaged in anti-competitive conduct in the provision of these services.

Spotless is a provider of outsourced facility management services, offering cleaning, catering, laundry, security and asset maintenance across healthcare, education, government and defense.

Downer says he will “vigorously defend” the proceedings. “Downer is committed to best practices in governance and risk management and continues to invest significantly in our compliance systems and processes,” said Downer CEO Peter Tompkins.

The stock closed 5.95% lower at $5.37.